Native Cats
Process Praise
8 Track, LP (2011, Rough Skies/Ride the Snake)
Related: Native Cats.
To these ears at least, Native Cats are far and away the best Tasmanian electronic pub rock duo in operation. The follow-up to their debut LP Always On sees their dark indie-pop stepping up a level. The heavier and more aggressive drum machine is the first thing to notice with vocalist Peter Escott flinging the tinny Castiotone into the Derwent in favour of a meatier sound. Julian Teakle's basslines have always maintained a low-level menace, but on tracks such as 'The Singer Is Dead to Me' and 'You Need a Driver' they are now cold squints of meanness.
It's just not the sound and song titles that have rolled up their sleeves. While Escott's erudite and astute observations of the minutiae of Hobart life remain, it's now like a Ken Loach film taken over by Sam Peckinpah. 'Dani Dani' is more than six minutes of unveiled threats of brutal revenge. “Some punk took a swing at my head/Tried to pluck it like a ripe tomato,” Escott sings on 'You Need a Driver'.
Of course, anyone who has seen Escott perform on stage either with the Native Cats or as part of his stand up comic career would never mistake him for Henry Rollins. But judging by the sound and sentiment of the new songs he's not about to take any crap. Married life it seem has hardened him up.
I've mentioned it before but many instances in Native Cats songs remind me of the dry and deadpan wit of Scottish outfit Arab Strap. The same is true of the new album and when Escott sings, “I'm driving around with somebody else's vanity plates/Someone's else defensive drive”, on 'Eyes of the Gang', I'm again reminded of Falkirk's finest.
By the time the LP closes out with 'Power In' – a haunting duet featuring Teakle's former Bad Luck Charms bandmate Lisa Rime – the listener has quite possibly experienced one of the strongest local releases of the year. Yes, the Native Cats sound has expanded but it's still as lean and concise as ever, or as Escott explains it best, “Solid like a sensibly-packed suitcase.”
by Tim Scott
Batrider’s STEPHANIE CRASE and the Native Cats’ JULIAN TEAKLE discuss …
The Native Cats’ debut album Always On was one of the best releases of…
If there’s one person “qualified” to launch a compilation of Hobart m…
oo, didn't know this was coming, good times ahead!
awesomes!
looking forward to hearing this.
nipples
Also I'd a-like to hear a-this.
cant wait for this!!!
How about some soundcloud action?
This CD has been in high rotation in CarbieWarbieLand all week.
It's bloody tops and at times reminds me of one of my all-time best bands, FAD GADGET!
My favourite songs are ''Wearing The Killer'' and ''Self-Rep''.
I would extend that to include the whole of south-eastern Australia, but am I showing my ignorance?
What's another Tasmanian electronic pub rock duo in operation?
And is there really such a place as 'CarbieWarbieLand'? Seriously?
Are there babies there?
Well, I think hMAS used to occupy that position, but they've been defunct for quite a while now. one of their finest moments was launching a demo tape by singing over the instrumental tracks while drinking tea and playing chess. Ah, great band.
i agree with tim, one of the real winners of 2011 so far. great album. love the lyrics in general, but in particular this bit from 'dani dani':
''no leathers. no colours. no tatts. no quiffs. just check shirt, and neat jeans with worn knees. old time 1993 australian suburban exoticness.''
Copies coming to Repressed Records early next week. Julian sent us out a promo copy and I've inflicted it on the Newtown public at least 30 times. GREAT RECORD!
will someone, tell them i'm interested for us distro, please
best band. when will the native cats be in melbs next????
we're playing friday september 30th at the tote, double album launch with batrider.
the LP is being pressed and coming out through ride the snake records in boston, think they do a lot of their distro through matador direct.
cds should be in missing link and in repressed real soon.
pre-order the LP here
http://www.ridethesnakerecords.com/bark/?page_id=486
super keen to hear this!
thanks, just ordered.
ride the snake? bit bloody morrisson innit?
LPs ready to ship from RTS, CDs in Tommy Gun, MIssing Link & Repressed.
Does the vinyl come with a download code?
my lp arrived today.
its ace.
can't find any download code.
Just ask someone with a CD copy to rip you a digital version. I have both versions.
LP sounds so fucking amazing though, gee whizz.
i wasn't concerned about the download code, happy with lp, was just answering question.
very much a top record.
sorry, no download code.
LPs sent to Wooly Bully and Repressed, other stores to follow.
Launches:
Hobart - Friday 9th of September at the Grand Poobah
Launceston - Saturday 10th of September at Skinny Geans
Melbourne - Friday 30th of September at the Tote.
Ace! Will be at the Tote for sure.
double album launch with batrider!
We have copies of the 'Catspaw/Lemon Juice' 7'' and the 'Always On' & 'Process Praise'' LPs in Wooly Bully now!
Will be over shortly to pick one up and add another number to my Woolly Bully Frequent Shoppers Card.
album launch next friday at the tote with batrider. we'll have vinyl and cd copies for sale plus the last copies of the ''always on' LP.
Launch tonight at the Tote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Any chance of set times?
don't understand why everyone loves this so much. i haven't seen a band i disliked this much in a LONG TIME.
have put copies of both LPs in both polyester stores and have re-stocked wooly bully with both the LPs.
http://thenativecats.bandcamp.com/